What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nursery Specialist position at ArborGen?
ArborGen’s Nursery at Bellville GA has a position open for a Nursery Specialist. This facility produces 20 million bareroot pine seedlings and 15 million containers from seed annually. The Nursery Specialist is required to perform all of the skilled operations at a nursery. He/she is responsible for production goals, product quality and minimizing nursery expenses. A specialist must be reliable, innovative, team-oriented and conscientious with a positive work attitude.
- Operate, maintain, modify and calibrate farm tractors, agricultural equipment, irrigation system components, and other equipment used on the job.
- Maintain records including but not limited to equipment maintenance, parts inventory, safety inspections, and fuel records.
- Assist in the operation and maintenance of an automatic irrigation system including pump station, below ground main lines, above ground supply system, and digital controllers.
- Assist in all phases of weed control, including herbicide application, mechanical control and hand weeding.
- Assist in all phases of crop nutrition including fertilizer applications and crop tissue and soil sampling.
- Wear safety personal protective equipment, maintain facility, and maintain a safe working environment. Participate in and complete the required safety training.
- Supervise labor in various nursery operations. Will be working with a contract labor crew daily during certain times of the year.
- Serve as a team member and/or leader in group work improvement projects.
- Work extended hours, weekends and holidays, outdoors in all types of weather conditions as required. Examples would be weekend irrigation duty or repair, planting season, and lifting season to meet production goals.
- Ability to work closely with colleagues meets peak needs and production goals.
- Adapt quickly to changing conditions including job functions.
- Ability to be innovative and resourceful to accomplish goals.
- Other duties and projects assigned.
- Department: Daily interaction with Supervisor (Production Coordinator and or Nursery Manager). Frequent interaction with peers in the immediate work group.
- Company: Interaction with peers in other nursery and orchard groups across the company as related to seedling production targets.
- Outside Company: May participate in outside conferences and symposia when appropriate.
- Associate Degree in Agriculture or Horticulture, or 5 years experience operating and maintaining agricultural equipment on a farm in lieu of education preferred.
- Mechanical ability with tractor and forklift experience.
- Private Pesticide applicator license preferred but not required.
This is heavy work exerting up to 40-100 pounds of force; work may involve climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; worker is subject to inside and outside environment, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust, gasses and chemicals; visual acuity is required for maintenance and identifying problems; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes. This can be inside or outside work or working in hot, humid cold and damp conditions. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license. Applicant must pass a drug screening test.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.